High-frequency diathermy applicator



July 19 1949# F. w. wANzENBERG 2,476,645

HIGH-FREQUENCY DIATHERMY APPLICATR Filed NOV. 27, .1946 v 4 Sheets-Sheet1 a Mw July 19, 1949. F. w. wANzENBERG 2,476,645

HIGH-FREQUENCY, DITHERMY APPLICATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet A2 Filed Nov. 27,1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 75 X0 l. f

F. w. WANZENBERG 2,476,645

HIGH-FREQUENCY DIATHERMY APPLICATOR 4 sheets-sheet 4 w WM y July 19,1949.

' Filed Nov. 27, 1946 HQI@ VIII/lill,

Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT GFF ICE HIGH-'FREQUENCYDIATHERMI APPLICATOR Frederick Walter 'Wanzenberg "Chicago, Ill.,fassignor Ato The Burdick Corporation, Milton, Wis., :a corporation kofDelaware Application November 27, 1946, Serla'lNo. 712,656

8 'Claims (Cl. 12S-H405) The present invention relatesto 'a vhighfrequency diathermy applicator or, as it is sometimes called, anelectrode, which lis particularly designed for use in `diathermytreatment of individuals.

The applicator disclosed and claimed herein is an improvement over theapplicator ydisclosed and claimed in the contemporaneously filedapplication of Oscar R. Bowers which is assigned to the assignee of thisapplication. Y

The primary object 'of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved highl -frequency diathermy applicator characterized byvease of adjustability, efficientl operation, vand structural featuresmaking it easy to manufacture and contributing to its durability.

Another object of the presentfinvention is to provide a new and improvedsectional-ized 'high frequency diathermy applicator including afsingleunjointed coil distributed over the area pf the applicator.

A further object of the 4present invention is to provide an applicatorof the character set -forth in the preceding paragraph wherein thesections are hinged and the unitary-coil -is la 'hollow woven flexibletube which lexes or' moves a hinged manner with the various sections.

A further object of the present invention Yis to provide a new andimproved adjustable diathermy applicator so lconstructed and arrangedthat it is frictionally held in its various positions of adjustment.

Other objects and advantages ofthe present invention will becomevapparent from "theA ensuing description of an embodiment thereof, 'inthe course of which reference is lhad to the accompanyng drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away, 'illustrating anapplicator constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal transverse cross sectional view taken along theliner 2-2 rof Fig. i;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view;

Fig. 4 is a transverse `cross sectionalv'iew taken 'along the line 4-4of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is another transverse cross sectional View taken along the linek5--5 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 6 is a 'fragmentary `enlarged top plan view, partly broken away andwith parts omitted, of

'the center sectionoi the applicator:

Fig. 7 is a 'fragmentary yenlarged cross sectional View taken along theline l-'I of Fig. 3;

` Fig. 8 'is an lenlarged fragmentary cross s'ectional view takenalongthe line '8--8 of Fig. 1';

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view `of one' loi a nmnber of vcableholding clips;

Fig. 10 is across sectional view'taken along the line IG-I of Fig. v9; l

Fig. 1'1 is a view taken along 'the line l'i---H .of Fig. l 'andillustrating a bracket associated with the rrcenter `section Vof theapplicator; and

Fig. 12 is a viewfon a'reduced scale, showing the applicator adjusted topresenta concave inner face for the treatment Vof a curved portion 'of'a patients body.

The high frequency applicator illustrated in the drawings isjlndicatedAas a whole by reference character 10; It is characterized by a novel'sectionalized construction including va center section l2' and sidesections I4 and f6', which are of siniilar but opposite construction'for attachment "to V'opposite sides of the center section, andkneesections I8 which connect the 'end sections 'to the center section.The various sections are made of some 'suitable insulating material,preferably Bakelite, and 'they may be-constructed 'in suitable manner,as by casting.

lOne of the main features ofthe Vpresent invention resides in the 'useof Ava single unitary but unhinged high frequency coil 20 housedwithin'the multiple section housing. Thecoil lcontains a relatively Vfewturns which are' distributed over the major portion Yof the lapplicatorto' provide uniform distribution of the 'diathermy current. The coil islocated near the inner face voi Vthe applicator to increase itseectiveness and the `coil is of a character such a's' to flex or `movein hinged manner 'with `means yhingedly supporting |the sections of'thesappl-icator relative to each other'.

Inrorder that the'coil maybe 'utilized asiahinge, it is of ilexibleconstruction and preferably'a hollow bronze woven'e'xible 'tube of atype obtainable Afrom `the `Chicago 'Metal Hose 'Corporation by which'it is lordinarily used asja metal hose covcring. This materialv hasysuiiicient 'conductivity to enable it to be used as a1coridl'ictl'cirrf'ort'lie diathermy ycurrent and, surprisingly, lit has su-ici'entfiexibility to be -iiexed or bent over the range of y:'audfiustabilitylof fthe applicator' without undue pr -excessive deformation inthefregions where jit exes. The manner in which the c'able is supportedby the cable supports 2| to insure reliable operation will be describedlater after consideration of the construction of the various sections ofthe applicator.

The center section |2 includes a main center section member 22 by meansof which the applicator is supported from a holder 24 which may form asuitable handle for attachment to the diathermy apparatus. The handle isadapted to be secured in a recess 26 formed centrally within a dependentboss 28. The handle is secured to the center section by a screw 30passing through a central sleeve 32 located in a central aperture in thecenter section member.

In accordance with another novel feature of the present invention thecoil supports 2|, which are made of a suitable insulating material, areheld in place by means considerably facilitating assembly of theapplicator. This means includes the peripheral flanges 34 at the lowerends of the supports which are engaged by a center section lower plate36, thereby to hold the insulators in place. The lower plate isprevented from moving upwardly by sleeves 31 surrounding the two centerposts 38, which are tapered and circular in cross section and formedintegrally with member 22.

The center section includes also an upper center plate 48 adapted to besecured to the main center section member above the coil. It is sosecured by a plurality (preferably four) screws 42 passing through itand threaded into a corresponding number of the posts 38.

The center section is also provided with oppositely disposed guidingbrackets 46 of a construction illustrated best in Fig. l1. Thesebrackets have inwardly extending anges 48 spaced a short distance abovethe upper plate 4U for the purpose of receiving an inner face shield 50,which constitutes another of the features of the invention.

The brackets are secured to the main center section by sunken screws 52covered by plugs 53. The brackets are also provided with roundedinwardly extending bosses 54 (see Fig. 1) receiving semicireular groovesS in the shield to prevent longitudinal displacement of the shieldrelative tothe center section.

The side sections I4 and i6 are substantially alike and, therefore, onlyone, the end section |4, will be described in detail, although likereference characters will be applied to like parts of each. It includesa main side section member ,v60 having side walls 62 and an end wall 64provided with a suitable grill work 66 to provide ventilation assistingin cooling the applicator in use. The hanged coil supports 2| are heldin place by a lower plate 68 which in turn is held in place by thespacers having reduced ends 'l2 projecting through apertures in theplate and abutting against the bottom. The spacers are secured by screws14 which also hold in place the upper plate 'I6 against which the shield58 rests. The lower plate 68 is additionally held in place by the screw'l1 passing therethrough and threaded into the bottom wall.

The shield 58 is so constructed and arranged that it is movable relativeto the side sections. This arrangement is necessary because the housingsections hinge about the axes of exing of the coil, whereas the shieldiiexes about an axis displaced therefrom and near the face of theapplicator. The relative movement of the shield is guided by opposedinwardly extending flanges 18 on the side sections spaced above theupper 4 plates 16 a distance suicient slidably to receive the shield.The end sections are further provided with a longer iiange which servesto maintain the coil housing completely closed when the applicator isflat, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and also in its other adjusted positions.

The shield 50 constitutes one of the important features of the presentinvention. It is iexible and. is preferably made of polyethylene. It isguided as heretofore indicated by the flanges 48 on the center sectionbrackets 46 and by the flanges 18 and 80 of the side sections. It iskept in spaced relation to the coil 20 by the top plates of the centerand end sections which also serve as a support therefor and serve toheat-insulate it.

In order to facilitate and also to limit the relative movement betweenthe housing sections, the sections are interconnected by the previouslyreferred to knee sections i8. These sections are alike so that hereagain only one of them will be described in detail. Each knee sectionincludes a knee bracket 82 having a somewhat rounded outer portion 84fitting into transverse apertures 86 and 88 in the center and outersections, as best illustrated in Fig. 2. The brackets include alsoopposed end walls 90 each having a pair of arcuate apertures 92cooperatively associated with pins 94 secured to the end walls of thecenter and outer sections to limit the extent of the angular movement ofthe sections relative to each other. The construction is such that aconsiderable angular adjustment of the sections relative to each othermay be had to accommodate the applicator to smaller and round parts ofthe patients body.

The coil supports 2| of the knee bracket are held in place by the lowerknee plate 98. An upper knee plate 98 is secured to the posts |08 by thescrews |82 and sleeves 99 surround the two center posts, which aretapered and round as distinguished from the outer posts, which haveflattened sides.

The coil is secured in the housing by the coil supports 2| which havecoil receiving clips |04 i secured to their outer ends by the screws|86.

The clips are preferably made of soft copper and are initially of a formillustrated in Fig. 9 better to receive the coil. After the coil hasbeen positioned, the arms of the clip are pressed fairly closely toembrace the coil.

In order to prevent the coil from coming into contact with the upperplates and shield, the clips have a length approximating the width ofthe upper knee plates 98 and are so positioned at the adjacent edges ofthe upper plates that the coil itself will not come into contact withthe plates, This result is obtained by positioning the clips, as shownbest in Fig. 2, with their edges substantially in line wit-h the edgesof the upper plates. Consequently, when the applicator is moved to itsvarious adjusted positions, the coil cannot possibly come into contactwith either the upper plate or the shield.

The ends of the coil are led to the exterior of the housing throughnovel clamping means indicated generally by the reference character H0,one of which is best illustrated in Fig. 8. The ends of the coil in theinterior of the housing are bent downwardly and surrounded by cableinsulating members H2 which take the form of sleeves (see Fig. l). Fromthe sleeves the cables extend through the side sections 68 to which theyare secured by the clamping means H0. The clamping means includes aninner tapered brass bushing I4 having a knurled outer surface. The

bushing surrounds the cableand it is in turn surrounded by a rubbercovering ||6 which it securely holds against an annular bushing ||8having a flange |2 abutting' against the wall 60 its j rubber covering`are -securelyf heldlin place.

.The bushing |2D^is preferably provided'with an vinner taper |22somewhat greater than the taper of bushing l| lli more effectively tosqueezeand hold the end ofthe rubber covering. '1

The housing sections are resiliently held in adjusted position byfriction means adjustable by the knobs |24. The frictional holding isprovided by springs |26 located Within hollows |28 provided in each ofthe knobs. One end of the spring bears against the knob and the otheragainst a washer |29 located adjacent the end wall of the housing. Theknob is secured to a bolt |30 having a head |32 bearing against theinside of the knee bracket wall so that the spring forces the walls ofknee and side or center section brackets, as the case may be, intofrictional engagement. The knob is provided with a threaded brass insert|34 and the knob with its insert is held in adjusted position with thespring at the desired compression by a set screw |36.

The housing sections are hingedly secured for angular adjustmentrelative to each other by the bolts |30 which pass, as just described,through the knee sections and the center and end sections. These boltsare located atY approximately the level of the coil so that the coilwill better ex in hinged manner with the housing sections.

From the foregoing detailed description it may be noted that theapplicator of the present invention may be constructed readily fromsuitable materials and that it may also readily be assembled. The mainportions of the housing are first cast or otherwise formed, after whichthe coil supporting insulators are assembled in the various sectionsalong with the lower plates 68 and spacers. The coil is then secured inplace by the clips and the ends are clamped in place by the clampingmeans Thereafter the upper plates i6 are secured by the screws. Theshield 50 is then positioned with its ends guidably received in the sidesections and thereafter the brackets 46 are secured in place to hold theshield.

In use, the sectionalized housing can be readily adjusted so that itsinner face has the desired contour for treatment of the patient. Theadjustment can be made easily and the sections are held in adjustedposition by the resilient holding means including the adjustable knobsand springs.

The coil is at all times maintained spaced from the upper plates and theshield, and at the same time is maintained at substantially the sameposition relative thereto so that all portions of the coil are effectivein all positions of adjustment. The coil is so held that it does notcome into contact with the plates or shield and the coil is cooled byconduction toward the back of the applicator and also by Ventilating airwhich has access to the interior of the housing through the grill work66. The shield 50, being made of ilexible material, is readily flexedduring the adjustment of the sections of the housing and maintains thehousing closed at all times.

The adjustment is limited to the desired range by the pins 94 and slots92 as hereinbefore described in detail.

While but a single embodiment of the invention has been described indetail, it should be understooaihat .the .dtails thereof; aremct .in-

tended to-ffbe limitative of. the nvention'except inso far .asset forthin the 'accompanying claims.

Having thus described my inventiomf-what I claimas neWa-nd .desire tovysecure byLetters Patenlh'isz .-1 L i' :111.

1. A high frequencyapplicator including a housing .section having;;a.bacl;wall,; flanged: Vcoil supports mounted insaidjsection the l:flangesdisposed toward the back wall, an apertured plate through which thecoil-supports extend and abutting against the flanged portions .o f saidsupports, and means including spacers at least portions of which abutagainst the plate for securing said plate.

2. A high frequency applicator including a housing section having a backwall, anged coil supports mounted in said section with the flangesdisposed. toward said back wall, an apertured plate fitting over saidsupports and abutting against the flanged portions thereof, spacersincluding portions projecting through said plate and portions abuttingagainst saidV plate, a top plate located above said spacers, and meanspassing through said top plate and spacers for securing them to saidhousing section.

3. A high frequency applicator including a housing section, flanged collsupports in said section, a series of posts in said section, anapertured plate fitting over said supports and posts and abuttingagainst the flanged portions of said supports, and means includingtubular spacers fitting around said posts and abutting against saidplate for securing said plate in position.

4. A high frequency applicator including a housing section, flanged coilsupports in said section, a series of posts in said section, anapertured plate tting over said supports and posts and abutting againstthe flanged portions of said supports, and means including tubularspacers fitting around said posts and abutting against said plate and aplate seating upon said spacers for securing said plate in position.

5. A high frequency diathermy applicator comprising a housing having aplurality of sections hingedly secured together for relative angularmovement, a flexible coil in said housing, a flexible cover for saidhousing, coil supports in said housing supporting said coil below saidcover, top plates supported below said cover and above the coil in theVarious housing sections, and means including coil holders secured tosaid supports for preventing the coil from coming into contact with saidflexible cover, said coil holders extending to the edges of the topplates in the regions of flexing of the applicator.

6. A high frequency diathermy applicator comprising a housing havingcenter and side sections hingedly secured together for relative angularmovement, a flexible cover, and means including separable bracketssecured to the center section having flanges overlying said cover andportions interengaging with said cover for holding and preventingyrelative movement of said cover relative to'said center section.

7. A high frequency diathermy applicator comprising a plurality of opensided coil housing sections hinged together for relative angularmovement whereby the open sides may be moved toward and away from eachother, and a single piece flexible cover common to the open Ysides ofall housing sections, said cover flexing when the sections are movedrelative to each other.

8. A high frequency diathermy applicator comprising a plurality of opensided coil housing sec- REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofrecord in the le of this patent:

Number UNITED vSTATES PATENTS f Name Date' Vickre;T 1 -10ct. 19, 1897Rosenberg Aug. 8, 1911 Bigne1l' .l. Sept. 8, 1914 Hewitt May 27,1919Wenbach May 6, 1924 Roller 1 Jan. 1, 1929 Bartik May 13, 1930 GieringerJuly 16, 1946

